Thread by @AndyHS

February 13, 2020 Fresno City Council meeting! Feasibility study of bike trail expansion; proposes to re-designate 89.68 acres of existing land.The proposed development is entitled "West Creek Village Mixed-Use Project; Purchase land from GAP for new animal shelter; new Signage

for dog parks in support of spaying/ neutering; CONSENT CALENDAR: 1-A :Actions pertaining to the Veterans Trail from Hayes to Polk Avenues

1-D Accepting and Adopting the Fresno Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Plan and the Corridor Recommendations

1-F Approve the reappointment of Scott Miller to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board, the appointmentMike Karbassi to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development and the appointment of Brad Driscoll to the Fire and Police Retirement Board.

1-G Amending Section 9-2601 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to the use and possession of weapons
1-L Approve the appointment of Steven Bradley to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

As always Forgive the Typos and grammar errors. please Heart these reports! (Won’t have internet connection today at City Hall so the rest of the report will come in later this afternoon)

City Council begins. There are two valentine balloon arrangements on Dais. One for Councilmember Soria and one for City Manager Wilma Quan. Caprioglio not present this morning Invocation by Fresno Police Chaplain Rodney Lowery.

Presentation of the SPCA Pet of the Month by Councilmember Bredefeld. Two month old Bugsy! Bredefeld says to contact SPCA for adoption. Also purchase of GAP land for new shelter will be later this meeting.

Presentation of Certificates of Recognition honoring Officers Joshua Weskamp and Richard Byrd sponsored by
Councilmember Bredefeld. Weskamp stopped a person strangling a puppy and trying to throw it into a truck. Weskamp was able to adopt the puppy later. Named Leo! Officer Byrd

volunteered to drive pit bull to Brookings Or for surgery on the dog. Weskamp says he was raised to take care of all lives. Adopt animals. Byrd says his wife and him are big animal fans.

Proclamation of “Black History Month” sponsored by Councilmember Esparza and Council President Arias. Esparza says Arias represents the largest portion of African-Americans in Fresno. Esparza is focused on the future and where we are going. Black Magic Collective began with

In unpacking what it means to be a black girl. Cultivating community resources could be a much needed help. Gaps in media representation with help from Fresno Art Council and California Endowment they are creating a magazine. Next proclamation: Arias says we need to recognize

where we are going. The Links ,Inc organization was that in the past. Have awarded $250,000 in college scholarships over years. Keisha Thomas , Kimberly Tapscott Munson and Cynthia Sterling among honorees.

1-N @mike understands that the contract in place on San Joaquin River abe Friant Kern Canal 5-year Sanitary Survey. Do we need to provide enterprise dollars even though other entity was slow ? Approved. ( Caprioglio is on dais now)

at Council level. Soria: can I pick a park and dub it surplus? Staff: there would need to be a reason. Arias: will have a discussion about Pride Park. It is too small for public amenities. Neighborhood meetings will begin. Soria: Can we declare it surplus BEFORE we meet to make

it a most established park?? Soria: makes motion to not declare it surplus and hear presentation first. Schaad: clarification: long term plan first? It will be tabled first and heard at another meeting

1-D fresno Trail Expansion @D7Esparza Esparza asks why District 7 is essentially ignored. Staff: was a cal Trans project at first. We used City’s prioritization tools to help determine if it is a disadvantaged project. Public Works Director Scott Mozier: Mid Town trail is a fully

fully funded project, far along and that is in District 7. Council wanted to see other projects that are feasible too. Approved 6-0

1-N @kmkarbassi understands that the contract in place on San Joaquin River and Friant Kern Canal 5-year Sanitary Survey. Do we need to provide enterprise dollars even though problem was the other entity was slow ? Approved. ( Caprioglio is on dais now)

@kmkarbassi before we provide more money. Use money for domestic shelters. Next: Brandi says surveys can provide answers from those that are most effected. H Spees: funding is to provide emergency shelter. County partner Nathan Magsig @li is here

received HEAP funds to provide rooms for families that are homeless. 25 families to hotels for emergency reasons like domestic violence. Often a mother will stay with abuser in order to keep her kids from living on the street. Next: Yonis says crisis from foster care.

Let’s not just warehouse them. 50–75 at a time v putting them into 400 person shelter. Dez Martinez: family shelter should be first. Motels residents are not counted. A triage shelter should be for families. Kids fall thru the cracks by FUSD. We need to see if shelters work be-

before we provide more money. Use money for domestic shelters. Next: Brandi says surveys can provide answers from those that are most effected. H Spees: funding is to provide emergency shelter. County partner Nathan Magsig @LincolnSeward is here

too. Homelessness is a societal symptom. 7 stressors can result in homelessness. Asks today : 1) approve joint service Plan and 2) approve $6.1 million from Governor Newsom. HEAP outcomes of shelters indicate 34% graduated to permanent housing which is high compared to other

parts of State. City Council Subcommittee would like 18 additional shelter beds and locate 55 beds outside District 3 by July 2021. Supervisor Nathan Magisg says he is glad this is a regional solution. 14 point plan is being implemented by both City and County as well as Madera.

He agrees with public comments especially in regards to homeless students. Street to Home group thinks we need to expand definition of what is homeless. $45,000 more will be allocated to Marjoree Mason. Not a lot but something. He is in support of this proposal. Soria: thanks for

highlighting 18 more beds in rural area. Tracy has to move their homeless into Stockton. Today this is a stop gap measure. We have a tremendous responsibility to build more affordable housing. Not just built in district 3. Regional approach. Need to lobby government to change

definition of what is homeless. Those going to see Trump next week in Bakersfield can relay this ask of changing the definition. Bredefeld asks about Marjoree Mason funding of only $45,000. H Spees says they would be competitive in applying for other funding. Bredefield asks

Marjoree Mason staff how much more would they need. Rep says they didn’t know about the $45,000 until yesterday. Would look forward to sitting down with H Spees. Karbassi: he understands Hacienda and Turning Point have family beds but specialized in Domestic Violence. He wants

Marjoree Mason Center to be made whole. Spees: Council can fund the $45,000 and then apply for RFP dollars OR use $300,000 can be carved out. Arias wants to have Marjoree Mason is guaranteed the money rather than risk finding it under RFP. Karbassi: we provide some funding to

Marjoree Mason. They don’t have lots of funding coming in though. Luis Chavez: Wants to be honest with community. We are spending $11.8 million $6.1 from City County is putting in $2 million. $4437 dollars per homeless doesn’t go very far. How does this fit in the type of calls

PD etc receive? We are basically triaging these problems. 127 beds plus the additional 18 new beds means we are full. How does 9th Circuit ruling that homeless cannot be jailed if there is not enough beds available.
Chavez wants an opt out clause if there is no money in future.

Caprioglio agrees with Chavez. His constituents want services and one of those is to not have same homeless person on the same block. He doesn’t see results on this. He doesn’t know the answer. Arias : wanted to have a regional plan but also wants to see performance clause.

Caution against carve outs now before we see performances such as Marjoree Mason. The love we have for Marjoree Mason Center is large. We helped fund their new kitchen last year. Arias asks: Sheriff Gave how much to Marjoree Mason ? Marcus: Zero. District Attorney? Zero. Although

Although $50,000 from Smittcamp campaign fund. $118,000 from City’s portion of HEAP fund. Chavez:communication needs to better with H Spees office. Esparza: competing priorities from same limited funds. Can money be readjusted ? H Spees: yes but this is based on best practices.

We can’t fund a big tax bond like Los Angeles can. Karbassi: thanks Chavez and Arias for pertinent questions. Domestic Violence victims are not just on streets they are fleeing on the streets. If I approve this today do I also vote to take away the $45,000 from Marjoree Mason

Spees: voting for this doesn’t secure the $45,000 for Marjoree Mason but Council can provide more money. Karbassi: he cant vote for this then. Arias: Mason still finishing up funds from past CDBG funds. Bredefield won’t vote in favor unless we keep funding for Marjoree Mason

Motion to approve providing staff with direction to find funding for Marjoree Mason. Approved 7-0.

Next 1-G Bredefield regarding security measures. Cost of chartered officials ( Councilmembers , mayor etc) are given special security in parking lot . Bredefield feels this gives wrong message to employees and at a cost $250,000. Will employees enter and do they go thru

security? A: YES. Ordinance doesn’t specify where that entrance be. Maybe from railroad side of City Hall OR could expand security where it currently exist. 5-2 approved.

1-K honorary flag Raising: Karbassi wonders what definition of “political “? City Manager should be deciding this and not politicians like Council. City Manager has never been asked about the flag in her time as City Manager. Esparza: what if someone wants to put up a Pride

Rainbow or Confederate Flag? What is procedure for approving? Bredefeld says we are all political up here. We may be offended by something another Councilmember agrees with. Chavez: makes motion to table this.

10 AM ( at 11:15 am) Proposal to re-designate 89.68 acres of existing land.The proposed development is entitled "West Creek Village Mixed-Use Project. No discussion from staff and motion made quickly. Public Comment: HEAT Rep says there has not

been a neighborhood meetings. Arias:there has been numerous meetings as well as implementation committee.

10:30 AM appropriate $6,603,400 for operating programs and capital improvement projects citywide and reallocate $1,000,000 of existing General Fund appropriations for new operational activities.

motion to approve with no discussion from Staff. This is item with Carry over funds. Public: Mary Curry says there is still not a final decision with Darling rendering plant. She would like funding held in reserve until they are in agreement. Dottie Smith thanks Arias and Esparza

for honoring her earlier this morning. She is now talking about Senior Citizen Center. We don’t have a dedicated facility in a large city like Fresno. You can tell how a city works By how it treats its children and seniors. Next Shirley heard we are going to have a $20 million

Animal Shelter but we can’t have a Senior Center? She likes animals but $20 million seems like an awful lot. Next: Vincent says we would like $1 million to kickstart a Senior Center near transit and with parking. Next: Richard Graham asks for

funding for homeless veterans. Next John Hernandez says educational facility for veterans is needed. Next FranCisco we Seniors should not be forgotten just because we are old. Next Rev Lewis is concerned about even having this decision. The $1 million in regards to Darling medi-

-ation . They have backed out of all the hard work by City. Is this another example of money being allocated to west Fresno and then taken away to be given to another part of Fresno. Soria: it has been a long haul on Senior Center . How long would it take to find a piece of pro-

perty? Assistant City Manager Jim Schaad: four months to secure a lease. Soria: Mckinley and Blackstone will have ground breaking in regards to neighborhood Senior Center. Also classes at City College for seniors. Motion: retain $1 million for darling and take from affordable

housing. If that money isn’t used for Darling then it should go back into housing set aside. Bredefeld: can Attorney says you can sever the items. Caprioglio would like to do it all as one. Esparza : thanks to all the public that spoke today. He will vote to proceed with senior

center. This will help accelerate this project. We are not pitching animal shelter v Senior center. They will all have their own funding. Karbassi: Senior Center has an administrative personnel lined up ? Schaad : No Karbassi: Karbassi: asks Planning Director Jennifer Clark re-

Karbassi: asks Jennifer Clark -garding Census. Clark says census has begun. April 1st is official census day. If we find that there is discrepancies on official count. Verification will take $100,000. Will be done in house by City as well as neighborhood organizations and media

Unused dollars will be reappropriated in general fund. Motion by Karbassi to put aside $100,000 for census challenge so we can be assured we get all the City is earned. Soria: money should be spent upfront by getting people counted first so we don’t need challenge later. Millions

at risk! Arias : we can make decision on when allocation occurs to a later time. Karbassi: who decides who is a “ respected community organization “ Clark: Council will make choice Karbassi: asks for allocation for PD officers had guns. Bredefeld: is in favor for lots of these

will make choice Karbassi: asks for allocation for PD officers had guns. Bredefeld: is in favor for lots of these items in here. Some however should not be spent. He is not in favor of spending money for census. Is County responsible ? Clark: in constitution to count all

residents. Every town has there responsibility to count in order to get fair share. Bredefeld : $250,000 seems a lot. Now Senior Center has been reduced to $500,000 from $1 million. It is bait and switch. We spend $21 million for affordable housing already.

But now we are taking more to be used for affordable housing? $1.3 million for Community Center. Now More for a Multi generational center. We don’t have money for PD guns or dispatchers. There will be a tax coming in November for Parks. He is in favor of Senior Center but not

multigenerational center. Since he cannot vote on items separately than he will vote No on entire item. Soria: homelessness is an issue. There are millions for homeless but we need to have skin in the game to be eligible. We need long term source of funding. We have a affordable

crises. $450,000 per unit but spread over 50 year covenant it comes to $8000 will will provide 88 families will have housing. Interns are given summer jobs youth that are involved in these jobs have a lower arrest later. Pays for itself as an investment. Public Safety also in-

L-cludes prevention. Arias: Chief Andy Hall says his budget is $181 million per year. Service weapon replacements as there are malfunctions. Refurbished but didn’t work. Not consistent. Be like a car that the brakes work some days but not every day. Lease PD cars. Some have

100,000-200,000 miles. Arias: PD is most important entity this city and it takes half of the funding. We have worked hard to provide that funding. Hall: we work in a 75 year old building with 40 year old carpet. We don’t have hot water. We need to have leadership come together

Guns are not negotiable. (Chief Hall getting heated). Arias: why were not those guns in their budget? Arias agrees with Karbassi to approve some funding for new weapons and ask PD / Mayor to come up with remainder. Caprioglio: politics don’t have a place in this chamber

Our goals should be to help our citizens as public servants.We need to keep our emotions out of it. $50,000 for interns helps us get the $250,000. Bredefeld: Government gets in the way for making affordable housing. He is in favor of all the needs the PD has. Cars needed as well

as new helicopters. Chavez: we will give resources to PD. We do need to be more proactive and we will save more money. Public : Dottie Smith says Public Safety is more than raising budget for PD. Prevention: Teaching reading. PD needs to get to know youth. We need to see human

element of community. It is not as dangerous as it seems once you get to know them. Carmen: a commitment on Senior Center will make it easier to fundraise.
Council votes to Approve 6-1 with Bredefeld voting NO.

Will come back at 1:30 for animal shelter after short lunch break

Back at 1:30. Only six council members present. First up is Animal Shelter. Approved 6-0 with Chavez absent with no discussion or public comment.

11:30 Concerning signage at city dog parks to encourage owners to spay or neuter dogs in support of planned no kill animal shelter. Bredefeld would like signage that encourages public to get their animals spayed or neutered. Soria : should we begin requiring pet owners to have

pet owners to have animals spayed/ neutered? Bredefeld grees if council approved that he would be in favor. Bredefeld says signs are already being created for dog parks so this would be a good time to do this Karbassi: would like option of councilmember to put up in their own

or not. Karbassi says it says neutered dogs are easier to train. Perhaps that is the same for councilmembers he jokes 😝Karbassi turns in educational sign sample for council. Esparza: how many dog parks by are there ? He doesn’t think there are any in his district. Arias jokes

they are only located north of Bullard. Staff indicates that only district that doesn’t have one is Caprioglio (Dist 4). Approved 6-0 Soria wonders if we have workshop on Spaying and Neutering requirements in future.
Council going to close session and then to ASET around 3 pm.

I wasn’t able to stay for the 3 pm item but here are screenshots they provided for the Workshop.

Next meetings: February 27th, March 5th March 26th.

@threadreaderapp unroll